NATIONWIDE ECONOMIC DOWNTURN TAKES HEFTY TOLL ON PORT OF LOS ANGELES - FEBRUARY CONTAINER COUNT DOWN BY 32% FROM LAST YEAR

SAN PEDRO, Calif. — March 12, 2009 — The continued weakened world economy and Chinese New Year observance factory closures contributed to a 32.56 percent decline in container traffic, year over year, for February at the Port of Los Angeles.  Container volumes are down a total of 20.94 percent for the calendar year and 8.91 percent for the fiscal year, which began July 1, 2008. 

“February is typically our slowest month because of the factory closings for Chinese New Year,” said Port of Los Angeles executive director Geraldine Knatz, Ph.D.  “Coupled with high unemployment rates, decreased consumer spending and fewer ship calls made February an unusually bad month for us.”

For more detailed information on the Port’s container statistics click here. 

The Port of Los Angeles, also known as “America’s Port,” has a strong commitment to developing innovative strategic and sustainable operations that benefit the economy and the quality of life for the region and the nation it serves. A recipient of numerous environmental awards, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's 2007 Clean Air Excellence Award, the Port of Los Angeles is committed to innovating cleaner, greener ways of doing business. As the leading seaport in North America in terms of shipping container volume and cargo value, the Port generates 919,000 regional jobs and $39.1 billion in annual wages and tax revenues. A proprietary department of the City of Los Angeles, the Port is self-supporting and does not receive taxpayer dollars. The Port of Los Angeles - A cleaner port. A brighter future.